Report: Saints Were Prepared To Cut G Jahri Evans, Now Negotiating To Keep Him

Katherine Terrell of the Times-Picayune, citing a league source, reports that the Saints were prepared to make veteran G Jahri Evans a cap casualty, but they have instead been in contact with his representatives about a solution that would keep him in New Orleans.

As things stand right now, the Saints are projected to be over the NFL salary cap by something close to $20 million or so.

According to Terrell, the Saints have had several talks with Evans and his reps in the past few weeks about the possibility of him taking a pay cut to be back with the team.

Evans is in line to make a total of $7.5 million for the upcoming season and carries a cap figure of $11 million, so he represents one of the easiest sources of cap relief for the Saints.

The Saints have reportedly told Evans’ reps that an outright release remains be a possibility, but all scenarios are still being considered at this point in time.

Terrell’s source said Evans’ preference would be to remain with the Saints.

Evans, 31, played through a torn TFCC in his wrist that required surgery during the second half of the season. Overall, his play was noticeably impacted by this injury.

The Saints signed Evans to a seven-year, $56.7 million contract that included $19 million guaranteed back in 2010. He still has two years remaining on that contract that includes base salaries of $6.8 million in 2015 and another $8 million in 2016.

Over the course of his nine-year NFL career, Evans has missed just two games for the Saints. Pro Football Focus has Evans rated as the No. 46 guard in the league out of 68 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Evans and the Saints as the news is available.